---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 7:44 AM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Fw: South Sudan Foreign Policy To: Group <[email protected]>
1. South Sudan cabinet endorses first foreign policy after independence July 30, 2011 (JUBA) – The government of the newly founded independent Republic of South Sudan has adopted its first foreign policy three weeks after the region gained independence on 9 July. The region became independent on 9 July following an overwhelming vote in favour of secession from the rest of Sudan in a referendum conducted in January in accordance with a peace accord signed in 2005 to end 21 years of the most recent war between North and South Sudan. On Friday the cabinet deliberated on the nation’s first foreign policy and adopted it, revealed the government’s spokesperson and caretaker minister of information, Barnaba Marial Benjamin. The policy transformed the former ministry of regional cooperation, which was under the previous semi-autonomous government for the last six years, into the new ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In its preamble the policy expressed the long period of struggle for freedom which the people of the region had undergone for 190 years as well as the current expectations of the people after the recently achieved independence and the yearn for democratic, productive and accountable nation, among others. "Being the newest nation state vying to carve out a respectful position amongst the world body of nations, South Sudan is keen and resolute in establishing a democratic secular transparent system of government, reflective of established international norms and standards such as the observance of the rule of law and respect for human rights," reads part of the document’s preamble. The policy stipulates that the new Republic shall be designed and guided by the principles and norms based on good neighborliness relations and peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states and preservation of national interest and security as well as non interference in the internal affairs of other states. "Adherence to the charters of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and other regional and international conventions and treaties" are among its basic guidelines. The cabinet also passed the structures of the new ministry at the headquarters in Juba and abroad in order to conform to the organizational standard of the ministries of Foreign Affairs in sovereign states. South Sudan for the last six years of sub-national status had opened 23 missions around the world, some of which will now be upgraded to embassies. The government’s spokesperson, Barnaba Marial said about 63 new embassies, permanent missions and consulate generals will be gradually opened around the globe in the next few years beginning from next week. In addition to promoting regional and international cooperation, among others, the nation’s representatives abroad shall work to attract foreign investments to South Sudan which the document says is “located at the hub of the African continent” and endowed with resources. The country shall also send its permanent representatives to the United Nations General Assembly headquartered in New York and the African Union in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. (ST) END1 2. South Sudan establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel July 28, 2011 (JUBA) – The newly born Republic of South Sudan has officially established full diplomatic ties with the state of Israel three weeks after it became independent, revealed the caretaker minister of information, Banaba Marial Benjamin. On Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit received an official letter from the Israeli government, congratulating the leadership for attaining independence of their new country and pledging for establishing full diplomatic relations with South Sudan. In an official statement he read out on South Sudan TV today, Barnaba Marial further explained that the two countries will soon open their respective embassies in Juba and Tel Aviv at ambassadorial levels. He said the letter also praised the leadership in South Sudan for their wise strategy and focus that has successfully sailed their ship across the river to the other side of the shore towards independence. The government’s spokesperson further lauded the new development, saying the diplomatic ties with the Jewish state will also enable South Sudan to contribute to resolutions of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Most countries in the Arab League, including North Sudan, do not have diplomatic relations with Israel and consider the latter an enemy state. The move is an assertion of how South Sudan’s foreign policy will differ from Khartoum as it establishes itself on the world stage. South Sudan is home mainly to Christians and those with African traditional beliefs in contrast to the Islam-dominated North. South Sudan broke away from the rest of Sudan on 9 July following an overwhelming vote for independence in a referendum conducted in January 2011. The exercise came as a result of a self-determination right provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 to end 21 years of the second phase of the war between North and South Sudan. The Israeli government today also confirmed South Sudan’s announcement. "The cooperation between the states will be based on the firm foundations that guide them in forming friendly ties, out of equality and mutual respect," Israeli foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks by phone with South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, offering Israeli help in the areas of infrastructure, development and agriculture. Israel is home to thousands of Sudanese refugees and migrant workers who arrived on foot after crossing Egypt’s Sinai peninsular. (ST) END2 3. With diplomatic ties established, Israelis doing business in South Sudan go public Israeli entrepreneurs have been working in the nascent country, establishing farming communities for former soldiers along border with the Muslim north. By Amiram Cohen Haaretz * Published 01:32 31.07.11 * Latest update 01:32 31.07.11 Israeli entrepreneurs have been active in South Sudan for the past two years, and now that the Christian enclave has become an independent country, they're willing to let their presence there be known. At the head of the group of Israeli entrepreneurs stands Tamir Gal, a member of the Kfar Vitkin moshav. He and his partners have business operations in communications and agriculture in countries around the world, including in Africa. Gal and his partner Rafi Dayan, CEO and owner of Yarok 2000, are planning major agricultural projects for the new South Sudanese government, including a fruit and vegetable farm and a poultry business with henhouses and a slaughterhouse, scheduled to begin operating at the beginning of next year. The project is intended to enable the South Sudanese to produce their own food. The area's agricultural sector was destroyed by the northern Sudanese army and Muslim militias, leaving the residents without food sources. Currently, South Sudan imports 99% of its food and pays high prices. The agricultural initiatives are also designed to provide employment for a large number of people and to teach agricultural methods. South Sudan's autonomous government approved the project two years ago. Israeli entrepreneurs also are helping to set up farming communities for former South Sudanese soldiers along the border with the Muslim north. These projects are expected to begin next year. One large project with Israeli involvement is a 3,000-dunam irrigated vegetable farm, and a 10,000-dunam unirrigated farm for growing seeds. These initiatives were financed by a local investor. In addition, Israelis helped the country set up its first Internet service provider, Bilpam Telecommunications. Gal's company will be working on projects worth a total of $20 million to $25 million by 2012, barring no unexpected political upheaval, he said. http://www.haaretz.com/themarker/with-diplomatic-ties-established-israelis-doing-business-in-south-sudan-go-public-1.376129 END3 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +249 919 695 362 (Sudan mobile) +27 82 853 3556 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. 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